Cyzicus
and Alani return to the Hungry Halfing Inn about an hour after they departed.
They find Lucas, Kjira, Dolak, Corax, and Tomar sitting at the table where the
two adventurers left them. Darius, Soft Fang, and Ori are not present, however.
The five still present in the tavern all have wooden bowls in front of them.
They are apparently just finishing a simple dinner of some sort.

Taking a seat next to Corax, Alani looks around trying
to deduce what was for supper. Shrugging her shoulders, the elf looks about
the Inn.

"So, 'hear anything new about the roadblock?"
Alani asks no one in particular as her eyes scan the common room hoping to catch
the eye of one of the waitresses.

"Where are the others?" asks Cyzicus as he takes
a seat beside Alani, also looking forward to dinner.

"We have heard nothing new," replies Lucas.
"Darius is out with the wagon for the evening. Kjira and Master Tomar have
taken the last rooms. Kjira does need it so she can study in peace."

"Tell us what you found out," Kjira says between
sips of piping hot stew. "The only thing of note we have to say is that
the inn is officially full."

"Aye," confirms Dolak, "they dinna ha'e
enough rooms fer us all, so the most o' us will ha'e to stay with the wagons
in the caravan lot. Still, the stew tastes like stew and not rock soup. We hadna
heard any more about the merchant problems hereabouts. Did ye find out anythin'?"

"Cy," Lucas begins as he looks to the halfling,
"do you think it might be possible for the rest of us to stay at your family's
place? And please do tell what you discovered, if anything," adds Lucas
to the newly re-arrived companions.

Noting that Alani is looking for the waitress Lucas adds,
"I am sure Freda can bring out a couple more bowls of stew for you two."

"Gods I hope so," Alani exclaims as she turns
back towards the group. "I fear I am about to starve," the scout says
jovially.

Seeing the wine decanter sitting on the table, Alani reaches
for it only to find it empty. Frowning slightly, Alani leans back in her chair
and continues.

"It seems Lord Hultel knows about as much as we do,"
the elf says, folding her arms across her chest. "He is sending out scouts
this night to learn what he can, so 'til then I guess we might as well make
ourselves comfortable and partake in the hospitality of Corm Orp."

Smiling, Alani again scans the room for Freda, again to
no avail. Resigning to the fact that she will have to wait for the halfling
girl to come to the table, Alani turns her attention back to her companions.

"Cy, do think it would be possible to have a small
tour of your family's vineyards after we sup?" Alani asks the halfling
priest. Then, not giving Cy a chance to answer her first question, the elven
girl's eyes light up as she leans forward and continues, "And could you
please take me to your truffle patch you were telling about earlier? I haven't
hunted truffles since I was a little girl and my mother took me with her and
my aunts to the Greycloaks," Alani offers, batting her eyes in a flirtatious
matter towards the halfling priest.

Cy responds with, "I would be honored milady to escort
you to the patch. And then taking in the whole table, he adds, "I am sure
all would be more than welcome in our home the eve. Now where is Freda? I simply
must have some of that stew."

Turning to Corax, Cyzicus next asks, "I hate to impose,
but could you postpone sampling more of my family's vintage? I would like for
you teach me some rudiments of knife work later tonight if you do not mind."

The rogue looks askance at the halfling priest, and replies,
"Of course. It would be my pleasure to instruct you on knife fighting."
Corax frowns as he regards his traveling companion but then shrugs, deciding
for the time being to make nothing more of the odd request.

As the half-elf finishes speaking, Freda reappears at
the table. She smiles at Cyzicus, obviously delighted to see him again.

"Ah, you're back!" she exclaims. "Would
you like some stew, as well? I helped to prepare it."

"Yes, I would love some, Freda," Cy replies.
"I'm sure you put you own special touch on the meal. Could you bring us
a pitcher of water as well?" he asks with a smile.

Stifling the urge to laugh as the halfling shifts in his
seat, apparently uncomfortable to Freda's affections, Alani turns towards Freda.
"I would love a bowl Freda." Then looking into Corax's empty bowl,
she adds, "better make it a big bowl, for I am sure it will be as good
as it smells. And from my friends, satisfied looks, I am sure it is," Alani
says pleasantly.

Turning to Cy, the elven scout continues. "I will
be happy to stay with your family, Cy. Let us eat a bit first, then we better
head over there before the hour gets too late. Perhaps we should ask Darius
if he would like to join us in the hunt for truffles. I am sure the druid would
enjoy it," Alani adds nonchalantly.

Rising, Cyzicus announces, "I'll be right back. I
wish to tell Darius and Ori of our change in plans." With that, the halfling
priest leaves the table and exits the taproom.

* * * * *

The Caravan
Campgrounds

Mid-Evening

Cyzicus returns alone to the caravan camping area to find
Ori waiting impatiently on the front seat of the wagon. A loaded crossbow also
sits on the bench, within an arm's reach for the gnome drover. Darius and Soft
Fang lie curled up underneath the wagon, man and wolf both sleeping soundly.

Cy leans down and shakes Darius shoulder, then backs up
and waits for him to awaken. The druid does not seem to move for a second, but
the halfling can tell by the slight quickening of his breathing that the young
man is waking.

After a few moments, Darius sits up and looks around.
Noting that Soft Fang is still asleep, and seeing only Cyzicus, he queries,
"So, has some decision been made? After you left the Inn, the talk quickly
fell apart."

"Yes," replies Cyzicus, "we're were going
with the original plan. After dinner, we will be heading out to my home. Make
any preparations you need - we should be out within twenty minutes at the most."

The druid growls quickly and shakes Soft Fang. As the
wolf wakes up, Darius growls some more. "<Time to go>". He grabs
his spear and gear and says to Cy, "Ready. Let's go."

"What of the mounts and the wagon?" asks Ori,
who has been listening in. "Does Master Tomar wish to leave the wagon here
or is he also accompanying you to your home?"

Cy responds with, "I'm not sure, but an educated
guess would say he will want to go, since that is where the guards will be."

* * * * *

The Hungry
Halfling Inn

Mid-Evening

Shortly after Cyzicus has left the taproom, Freda returns
with a tray and two bowls of steaming stew. "Now where has he gotten off
to?" she asks no one in particular as she sets the bowls on the table and
glances around.

Snickering at the halfling girl's question Alani smiles
as she takes her bowl. "He'll be back Freda. He is just excited about this
roadblock business and all," the elf says pleasantly.

Taking up her spoon, Alani scoops up some of the stew
and gently blows on it a few times. Satisfied that it won't burn her mouth,
the young girl tastes the stew.

"Mmmmm," she mumbles as she chews the meats
and vegetables slowly, enjoying the mix of taste her mouth is enjoying. Swallowing,
the scout looks to the young halfling and says, "You must give me your
recipe Freda, this is the best stew I have ever had, my compliments to you!"

After Freda leaves, and after taking a few more bites,
Alani looks to her rather irritated employer. "Tomar, there may not be
anything we can do about this roadblock, save wait it out." Taking another
bite from her supper, Alani enjoys the splendid morsel as she thinks out her
next words. Swallowing the woman continues speaking.

"We should also watch ourselves. If this road block
is because of us, we can bet the Zhents have eyes and ears in town," Alani
says, taking another bite as if to emphasis her last words.

"Of course," replies Tomar in agreement. "So
then, who of you will be staying to guard the wagon? I could not help but hear
that you and Cyzicus intend for us to stay at his family's residence. And this
after Kjira and I have already paid for our lodging here!"

Hearing that Tomar concerned is so concerned for his goods,
Lucas turns to address the merchant. "Fear not, Master Tomar, your goods
shall be watched after. After a quick trip to find where Cy's family resides,
we shall set up a watch to relieve Ori and make sure your goods are secure this
evening. I propose we leave Kjira out of this rotation since she will be needing
all the quiet she can get to study. I would like to volunteer for the last shift,
so that I can study my book as well - since I plan on memorizing a new spell
so that I can try and discern some of the unidentified items we still carry,
tomorrow. That leaves us with Dolak, Alani, Darius, Cy, Corax, and myself."

Lucas looks around to make sure his has not missed anyone.
"Shall we divide the shifts into groups of two to be safe? Any thoughts
everyone?" asks Lucas of his fellow companions.

Rolling her eyes as the blacked robed mage brings up the
subject of watch, Alani surrenders to the fact that she can't wait any longer
to tell her employer and companions about the meeting with Lord Hultel. Rolling
a potato that is left in the bottom of her near empty bowl with her spoon, the
young elf speaks, her eyes not leaving her bowl.

"That sounds good save one thing Lucas, "Alani
says her voice barely loud enough for those at the table to hear. "You
know the scouts we told you Lord Hultel was sending tonight " the
girl pauses, as she lifts the potato from the bowl with the spoon Alani lets
out a sigh and continues.

"Cy and myself - along with Corax, Darius and the
wolf - are that scouting party," she says softly. Taking the potato in
her mouth, Alani slowly chews as she waits for the group's reaction.

Before anyone can respond to Alani's revelation, however,
Cyzicus returns to the table with Darius and Soft Fang in tow. The druid's stomach
audibly reacts to the empty bowls of stew that litter the table. Ori is not
with the trio; apparently, the gnome has stayed behind to watch the wagon.

Kjira ears perk up as Alani mentions the makeup of the
scouting party. "Wonderful," she decries. "We arrive in town
and can't wait to rest before volunteering for more excitement."

She shakes her head. "Don't you EVER rest? I mean,
surely the town could have sent a few guards to do the basic scouting first..."

She does a quick mental count in her head. "So we
have Lucas, Dolak, Tomar, Ori, and myself left to guard the wagon tonight. We
can rule out Master Tomar immediately so that leaves four of us to cover the
watches. Not that I had any other plans or anything, either."

"Didn't we have this discussion a little earlier
tonight?" asks the exasperated lady mage.

Darius, walking in on this conversation, turns to Alani.
"What scouting party?" he asks.

Dolak finishes the last of his meal by wiping the stew
residue from inside the bowl with a small piece of bread. He glances at Darius
and leaves the druid's question hanging for a moment as he answers Kjira.

"It willnae be a problem t'night," the dwarf
assures the lady mage. "I kin pull much o' the watch while the others rest
and work their magicks tonight. In the morn, I can sleep in while the sun rises
some. We'll ha'e t' wait fer the scouts t' rest some in the morn anyway. We
shouldna be seein' o'erly much trouble in town tonight, I'm guessin'.

"We do need t' be getting' along down the trail soon,"
the smith continues. "The sooner we find a way around the block, the sooner
we get to the next town along our trek. Dinna get me wrong, Cy, this is a fine
town, but we're needin' to keep movin' if we're to stay ahead o' trouble, if
ya know what I mean."

Turning to the confused Druid, Dolak adds, "I see
ya didna know you were volunteered to work for the town watch tonight. You'll
have to be askin' the others here," Dolak gestures at Alani with his tankard
in the left hand, "fer a few more of the details." The dwarven warrior
covers a grin with a long draught from his tankard.

"Aye Dolak," agrees Lucas with a nod. "I
shall pull the last watch and study my spells then. I will try and discover
what I might from the other items that still need identifying once everyone
is up with the rising of the sun."

"I suggest we settle down for the evening,"
the conjurer adds. "Those of us staying at the inn, I wish you a good eve."

Turning to Cy, Lucas then says, "My good friend in
arms, please show us to your family's house so that we too may get some rest
until our watch is due."

Keeping quite as Dolak comments on Kjira's statements,
Alani looks up from her bowl, her head nodding in agreement. The young girl
smiles sheepishly as the stout dwarf answers the druid's question and points
his tankard at her.

"Cy and I just kind of figured you would want to
go, Darius," the elven scout says with a smile and a wink towards Darius.
"Cy and I knew you two," she says, gesturing to Kjira and Lucas, "had
things to do this night."

"I spoke with Tomar and Corax earlier about it, so
we didn't see the harm in volunteering, "Alani adds, feebly trying to explain
her and the Truesword's actions.

Finishing what is left of her meal as the Lucas and Dolak
work out the watch schedule, Alani pushes her bowl to the middle of the table
and leans back in her seat as suggests settling down for the night. "I
agree, it seems like it is going to be a long night, so we might as well get
started," she says, her eyes sparkling in anticipation of the night's events.

"I'm not sure I understand," announces Corax.
"Lucas has mentioned a watch schedule - I would imagine he means for Master
Tomar and his goods. But our employer," the half-elf nods toward the merchant,
"is staying at the inn - and the guards are staying at Cyzicus' family
homestead. Are the guards to march from Cy's home to assume duties here, at
the inn?"

"We'll more likely walk from Cy's home t' the wagons
in the merchant's parkin' area," Dolak surmises in response.

Corax shrugs. "As you will. I will apparently be
involved with this scouting mission that Alani and Cyzicus have
arranged. I was only thinking of the work that you and Lucas have ahead of you,
this 'eve."

"Why not take the wagon to Cy's place? That is, if
Cy's family wouldn't mind," Alani's says nonchalantly, looking to the halfling
priest she continues, "What do you think Cy?"

"I'll tell you what *I* think," replies Tomar
before Cyzicus can answer. "I think that my wagon - and my goods - shall
stay near me. And since I have already rented a room - after some among you
had rented one, I might add - the wagon shall stay here, near me."

"Well then, Master Tomar," replies Dolak. "Yer
quite the charmer, but I dinna think even Freda will be wantin' ya to drive
yer wagon here in the tap room. The doors are a wee bit narrow t' be drivin'
through. And ya kin see there's not much room here between the tables. And then
there's the smell, too. I'm thinkin' I'm lookin' forward to seein' this.

"Oh," the dwarf continues, apparently enjoying
himself, "and since yer t' be sleepin' here on the tables near yer goods
too, might'n one of the other mages be usin' yer unused bunk?"

"Cy," Dolak then says, turning toward the halfling,
"I dinna think we'll be needin' t' bed down at yer place. Master Tomar
has graciously arranged for some paving stones outside in the street fer the
rest o' us to bed down."

"So much for not alerting any spies," Cy mumbles
under his breath as he eats his dinner. He then swallows his stew, letting Alani
do the talking since she inclined to anyhow.

Seeing that Cy seems to be upset, Alani frowns slightly
as she addresses the halfling. "Sorry Cy, I had to tell. Lucas started
diveying out the watch for the wagon, I had to say something," the scout
explains apologetically.

Ignoring the side conversation between Alani and Cyzicus,
Tomar looks to Dolak with a wry smile. "I had planned to leave the wagon
in the caravan campground, where the other wagons are located. I supposed that
some of you would stay in the room you rented and the others would stay near
the wagon with Ori."

"I agree with you, Master smith," the merchant
tells Dolak. "The proprietors of this establishment would be most displeased
if I were to bring my wagon into the taproom."

Exasperated by this, Cy intercedes. "Can you hear?"
he asks Kjira, looking at her ears. "The Guard had made the decision to
wait and see, before leaving the inn. Master Tomar is on a schedule - which
he says he already behind on. As for volunteering people, we only volunteered
those who expressed an interest in going before we left."

"Any other problems you have this night?" asks
the halfling.

"Nothing a scroll of halfling-slaying wouldn't solve,"
Kjira retorts sarcastically. "And as far as the militia was concerned,
if my ears and memory serve me correctly, Lord Hultel made no such decision
to 'wait and see'. I seem to recall him mentioning planning a small force to
reconnoiter. He did say they could make no plans to send a full fledged force
out to meet the brigands since the militia was over-extended, if that's what
you were referring to..."

Standing from her seat, Alani shakes her head as the group
seems to be in disagreement. "It doesn't matter what was said now. The
fact is, we have volunteered to do the job and that is exactly what I plan to
do, whether I have to go by myself or in the company of friends," the young
scout says quietly. The expression on her face shows the determination of the
elven lass.

"So I suggest that if we are going to do this we
had best get a move on. From what the wagon master said earlier, the block is
about a half a day away by wagon. We should be able to cover that distance in
half the time," Alani explains. The elf then places both hands on the table
and awaits any comments from the gathered group.

Lucas nods to Alani. "Then let us all retire for
the evening and the majority of us shall stay around town and meet back up here
tomorrow eve to discuss whatever you discover on your walk-a-bout," says
Lucas to his fellow members of the Iron Wolf Company.

"If all goes well Lucas, I hope to be back before
the morning," Alani says. A small smile breaks the young elf's determined
look.

Pushing in her chair, Alani places a silver coin on the
table. "Be sure to tell Freda the stew was the best I have had in a longtime,
please." With that, the scout prepares to leave, waiting for those who
are going to finish.

Dolak's empty mug clunks on the table as he sets it down
and stands up from the bench. "Let us be off, then. I'll take the watch
'til the wee hours of the morn. Cy, how long a walk is it from yer house t'
the caravan paddocks?"

At this, Cy rises from the table and leaves his own silver
piece. He silently wishes he could tell Freda that her attention to the stew
was most appreciated.

At the door, Cy turns and answers Dolak's question. "About
a mile," he says, "you may wish to spend the night with the wagon."

Dolak nods at Cy. "Aye, I'll be stayin' with the
wagon and cart t'night, then. I'll need someone t' take m' place durin' the
wee hours o' the morn. Who'll it be?"

"Just to make sure I understand this," Kjira
says as she listens to the others finalizing the plans for the night. "Everyone
not going on this ill-timed scouting adventure will be spending the night at
Cy's family home, with the exception of the person currently standing watch
at the wagon?"

"And his home is some mile or so, roughly speaking,
from where the wagon will be stowed for the evening? So what's the point of
a watch? If anything were to happen, the person standing guard would have to
travel a mile to wake the others and then everyone journey back to engage the
enemy. By then, the wagon would be looted or stolen completely!"

"What I said for Dolak was meant for any standing
guard," replies Cyzicus. "I never intended for the group to be separated
from the wagon. When I invited all to my family burrows, I had intended for
us all to be there. Obviously, that is not to be."

"I'm plannin' on spendin' this eve with the wagons,"
repeats Dolak. "Who is t' be the other guard, and will ya be spendin' the
eve with the wagons, too?"

"Ori shall be the other guard," Tomar says in
answer to the dwarf's question. "That will leave the two of you able to
support one another."

"And if I understand the previous arrangements,"
the merchant continues, glancing toward Kjira, "the lady mage here has
rented a room at the inn. If there were a disturbance, surely she would hear
and be able to react. Correct?"

"I shall relieve you two in the early morn so that
you can get some rest as well," assures Lucas.

Standing back as the others delegate the night's watch,
Alani shakes her head in wonder as the group talks. 'Are humans' memory as short
as their lifespan?' the young elf thinks to herself, her mind wandering back
to when the group was traveling the road in the direction of Corm Orp. It was
a usual fall day and all were in good cheer. Dolak and Cy were talking about
meals and brews, then Cy lets out a mighty chuckle as he slaps the dwarf on
the back and invites the caravan to stay at his family place where the food
and drink would be the finest any has ever had.

"Who else will not be busy tomorrow?" Lucas
asks of the others as he stands up and readies his cloak to depart.

The mage's question snaps Alani back to the conversation
at hand. Staring at the black robed mage as he readies his self to leave, Alani
smiles as she shakes her head. 'Humans, they are so worried about tomorrow they
don't have time for today,' the young girl jokes to herself.

Turning towards the seemly frustrated halfling, Alani
moves to his side. "Come on Cy, what's done is done. I have the fears you
do, but the longer we sit here is more time to prepare for us if there is a
spy nearby," the elf says softly.

"Aye, let us be going," answers Cyzicus. Then,
suiting actions to words, the halfling makes his way out the door to his pony
for the ride to the burrow.

Looking to the others, Alani shrugs her shoulders as the
halfling heads for the door. "Well be better follow him, he may not wait,"
the elf says with a chuckle.

"Corax, Lucas, Darius - would you fellows do me the
honor of being my escorts?" Alani coos as she offers her arms to the gentlemen
and winks playfully.

"Let us ask the gods for a quiet evening, then,"
Kjira says as the others depart. She stands herself a few moments later and
gathers her things round the table.

"I should get started upstairs as well," she
excuses herself. "Hopefully I will see you all in the morning...and not
any sooner."

The content of The Sunset Vale Saga are the property and copyright of
Brian Flood,
and are not to be published or
redistributed without permission.